The game is the
first for the U.S. following its official submission of the team’s 23-player
roster for the tournament and marks their first appearance at Audi Field as a
full unit under head coach Gregg Berhalter.

“We’re in the
beginning of a new time with a new coach and younger players, and anytime you
get new energy, it creates excitement,” says forward Paul Arriola of D.C.
United fame. “After the few games we’ve had under Gregg and his system, it’s
been very positive. We’re all very optimistic and fans should be excited about
the future and our first real competition with the Gold Cup.”

Previously, the team
played its DC matches at RFK Stadium. Arriola is looking forward to playing at
Audi Field – his home field when he suits up for the D.C. United.

“It’s exciting
because I play at Audi Field week in and week out,” he says. “The fans never
disappoint and are extremely loyal. It’s a great stadium and atmosphere.”

Aaron Long, a
defender with the New York Red Bulls, is happy that he’ll be finally be cheered
on when he steps foot onto Audi.

“I’ve been going
there with the Red Bulls and playing against DC, so it will be nice to be in
this new stadium and be rooted for instead of against,” he says. “It feels
super up close and personal. The fans are right on top of you and it’s an
amazing place to play.”

The National Team
opens this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, which takes place from June 15 to July 7
in the U.S., Costa Rica and Jamaica. This year’s lineup includes a game against
Guyana on June 18 in Minnesota as the USMNT looks to win its seventh title in
the tournament’s 15-year history. The team will also have games against
Trinidad & Tobago and Panama.

The trio of Jesse
Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge) and Sean Johnson (NYCFC) will
serve as goaltenders for the tournament. The team’s defenders will consist of
such superstars as Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Tim Ream (Fulham) and Daniel
Lovitz (Montreal Impact).

“We take this
tournament so seriously and we want to make our country proud, so to be part of
this team just means everything to us and we’re going to go out there strong,”
Long says. “We’re really starting to gel and these games right before the Gold
Cup are going to be the last thing we need to bring this team together and go
out full force.”

Jamaica is one of
the favorites in the tournament, making it to the finals in each of the past
two years, so the road to the Gold Cup won’t be easy.

“Our team is no
joke,” Arriola says. “We are here to win and continue to build as a national
team and be respected around the world. It never gets old putting on the jersey
and seeing your national flag on it and knowing you are representing a huge,
powerful country with a lot of history and the history of U.S. soccer.”

Don’t miss the USMNT at Audi Field on Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Learn more at www.ussoccer.com.